How Racing Media Accreditation Works

[@arda_]

I worked as a photographer for a formula student team in university and got to photograph the formula student events in Hockenheim, Spielberg etc. Incredible experience. After leaving the team, I tried photographing some events in Spa. Without media access, it was still a good experience but the long (alone) hours, battling it out with elements are only worth it if you know there is a team/audience waiting for your pictures. Shooting all day then going through thousands of pictures to share some of it with your 100 followers who may not even be interested in motorsport photography is a lot of work for little feedback. Even though I enjoyed the challenge, I couldn’t motivate myself to go for more after the second time. So my 2c is; find a publication/team/audience not only for access but also for motivation.

[@capturingthemachine]

This is a great addendum and insight! You're right, it is *so* much work shooting racing events. You're out in the elements all day, carrying gear from corner to corner and then waiting between sessions. And that's not to mention sorting through thousands of images. Having motivation to stick with stand put in the effort - whether it's external or internal motivation - is really important.

[@SlipstreamDigital]

I started with go-karts at my local track. After working hard, being dedicated and having a professional work ethic, I have had the opportunity to have been accredited with IMSA, IndyCar, WEC, NASCAR, Formula E, GTWC, and finally are currently accredited with F1 - my advice is this: Do not ask for selfies with the drivers once you reach the more popular events. This is frowned upon and is not professional. You are there to do a job and are there as a colleague with everyone working there. You are there to work, not be a fan. Some series even threaten with taking your credentials away if they find you asking for autographs, selfies, etc. If you want to be a fan, you take off your credential and line-up with the rest of the fans to get an autograph during the race weekend. Also, if accredited, unless you are the official team photographer, do not wear your Red Bull Verstappen Hat and Shirt being a fan. Other than that, put in the hard work.

[@capturingthemachine]

these are all great tips!

[@lemans_fan]

I got my first media accreditation at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hour race, I was 17. I completely agree with you. But I think as young photographers, we shouldn't see accreditations like THE achievement of our career... It takes nothing from a race organiser to give you a media pass. I really think the thing we should focus on is how to sell pictures, this is an achievement to me.

[@capturingthemachine]

absolutely, great tip 👍

[@MannsWoodlandPerspective]

I just received my first media pass for two upcoming races. I appreciate this entire video. I hope this is the start of something new and promising for me. I'm not worried about taking the photos and making them look good, I'm nervous as all get out about how the track works from a media pass shooter.

[@capturingthemachine]

Congrats, that's amazing! If my video helped at all, I'm thrilled. Don't worry, and don't be afraid to ask other photographers to show you around or show you the ropes. Even experienced photographers aren't familiar with the ins and outs of every track everywhere, and it's not uncommon to ask for guidance at a new track. "What corners should I start with?", "Would you mind showing me how the gate padlocks work?" People want to be helpful. See if you can follow someone around in a morning practice session. I don't find that people are protective of their 'secret locations' usually, at least not during practice. Good luck, you have the right attitude and approach and I'm sure you will crush it. 😄

[@MannsWoodlandPerspective]

@@capturingthemachine thanks again! You're helping me get some good ideas. I've gone this this track dozens of times and shot from the spectator areas. So it will be great to meet like minded people. I'm taking off work from my 9-5 for the practice day prior to the race. So it will be a great opportunity to ask anyone I may see there as you said, I sadly didn't think of that so thanks for suggesting. I do a ton of aviation / Airshow work to. So the panning crosses both genres pretty easy. I hope to one day make more than a side job out of it for both. I gave you a follow on IG under 'No Manns Sky' as that's where I post most vehicle stuff. And this is my first baby step of getting there. Thank you so much.

[@tonypearsephotos6751]

I'm very much an amateur / hobby photo taker, I've managed to get media passes to a few small events. Obviously not international motorsport type events, but it's still feels great to have access to some good shooting spots.

[@capturingthemachine]

Very cool that you've gotten to do that! As tracks continue to get safer, unfortunately it makes it even harder to shoot anything decent without special access. I was bummed to discover that some of my favorite places at Laguna Seca are now fenced off 😆

[@pckbls]

This was very insightful. Thank you! I'm aiming for media accreditation at various European Pro Drift events this year. Already invested a ton of time and money to get the necessary recording gear AND more importantly familiarze myself with it. Don't want to figure out how to use my camera last minute on site, lol. Got in contact with organizers, aquired all necessary insurances and made a plan to get a foot into the door. The past weeks I've been working on getting more exposure on Instagram, letting the relevant people know that I exist. If everything works out as planned, this is gonna be an expensive hobby but a super fun racing season. ✌️

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks! It's awesome to hear this, sounds like you've got a great plan and I wish you the best. I should have mentioned, drift events are amazing to shoot, I've only done a few, but the images can look spectacular!

[@Well.BoughtPhotos]

Wow, this could not have come at a better time. I’m in the process of trying to figure out how to get credentials at Laguna Seca for an event this summer. It seems like a hopeless process because the people I follow on instagram who get photo vests at the events I’ve been to have thousands of followers, but I try to not let follower counts dictate my self-worth lmao. Thinking of pitching an article idea to jalopnik to help my chances, plus I think it could be a genuinely interesting article. Here’s hoping. I’m so glad this channel exists. Thanks for doing what you’re doing Kevin

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate this comment. It sounds like you have a little bit of time to get something figured out before summer, so I really hope it works out. Have a good pitch, have examples of your work, and don't get discouraged if you don't hear back from the first outlet you reach out to.

[@SlipstreamDigital]

I have Instagram and Twitter (X) - but hardly ever use them. For example, in the almost 10 years I've covered motorsports, my Instagram only has about 9-12 images - and I just finished covering for a photo agency the Miami Grand Prix. So no, Instagram is not the final answer. It's also a lot of luck, preparation, networking - whether you have 1M or 1 follower - so when the right moment comes, one must be prepared - as the saying goes: Success is when opportunity and preparation meet.

[@TomatenDK]

From boring Denmark. Limited in race events due to lack of tracks. But still very very useful tips that apply for me too. Short, simple, very informative. Thank you 👌

[@capturingthemachine]

thank you so much!

[@kadinaator]

The thing is: there is so much more to racing than just track events. Rally, rallycross, karting, offroad, hillclimb, drag racing, drifting, ice racing, etc. Don't limit yourself to just track.

[@ISpinUWin]

Great topic! Interesting insight/advice both from vid and people’s comments!

[@capturingthemachine]

Thanks Eric! Not sure if this topic will bring in the views but hopefully it;'s helpful to some people 😆

[@hansal8056]

Really great content. I have been shooting for a few years and love the atmosphere at the track. I get decent photos from spectator locations, but often wonder how to make my shots better. Thank you for the info.

[@capturingthemachine]

Glad I could help, thanks so much!

Great video as always! Would love to learn more about how you shoot motorsport events 😊

[@capturingthemachine]

thanks so much! I made a video about panning shot technique & motorsports photographt in 2021, I think it still holds up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHnEfIOop6d_l5I (most of the B-roll footage in this video was shot for that video)

[@JimKilgo]

I have been shooting local motocross races around my area and also started shooting SCCA club races. I mainly sell these images to the racers using my website. I have been kicking the idea of getting credentials so finding your video on this subject was very helpful. I am not a novice photographer but I have not worked for any media outlet so I really did not know the best path to obtain credentials. Getting some of my images published now is a goal and I will look at outlets to get this done and hopefully luck into some outlet that would allow me to get credentials under their name. oh btw I subscriber to your channel now after find it.

[@capturingthemachine]

Awesome, it sounds like you've got a great foundation and are ready to step up to the next level. Thanks for the sub!

[@invader_viv]

I have also been curious about this, you're always like the Snapple cap fact i needed to read at the right time haha ive shot motorsport a lot last year just picking up my camera and i was already invited to shoot at a porsche club event from one of the drivers, but as far as getting the illusive media vest for an actual race i had no idea

[@capturingthemachine]

hahaha, thanks, I'm glad it's helpful!

[@touringcarmagazine]

And have your Public Liability Insurance in place before applying! In the UK that's at least £5millon worth of cover, which is under £100 for a year.

[@capturingthemachine]

Oh wow, that's not usually a requirement here in the US, but it makes sense for everyone to have, thanks for adding this! 👍

[@preflightdrip8672]

One suggestion for people (now I'm not accredited in any way I only started one year ago but my friends are) they started at a local drift league that meets once a month (local being like 2 hours away) and just taking pictures from the audience side since it's permitted there. They did well enough that they became official media team members for that group and then official team members for some groups that do organized community car cruises on the highway and large scale meets. So find a track within a few hours that lets audience photograph, do good work and get promoted to their team then you have that level of proof that you're good enough to be official (I'm not there yet I'm just part of the media team for the group I organize and being one of the leaders promoting myself to that point because I'm free work doesn't count lol)

[@capturingthemachine]

this is great, real-world advice and experience, thank you for sharing!

[@skydragon5394]

Coincidence and crazy how I was searching this up yesterday for F1

[@capturingthemachine]

awesome, I hope this helps!

[@thecoreelementsmoto]

Ive always wanted to give it a try. But always felt it was out of reach because of my location. I cant afford to travel on my own dime for all these races. But will start with some local dirt tracks and drift events to get my reps in then keep working from there.

[@capturingthemachine]

Sounds like a great plan - drift events and dirt racing can be some of the absolute coolest events to shoot. For capturing motion, it doesn't get much better than cars that are fast and sideways.

[@DynoTestedMedia]

Just got my credentials for IMSA this week

[@capturingthemachine]

congrats! 🎉

[@MyNameIsDanielYT]

great video man , im australian and my dream is to shoot motorsport here and eventually interanationally. i only just got my first camera tho . do you have videos on the best entry level gear and equipment ?

[@capturingthemachine]

glad it's helpful! I do not have a video like that, it's something I might try to do in the fall but I realize that isn't helpful now 😅

[@MyNameIsDanielYT]

@@capturingthemachine no worries, just for people who are very new to it.. Especially if you can break down a day at the races and what gear is needed. Thanks mate , keep up the awesome content anyways

[@brushie.photos]

Don't be dumb like me and sneak around COTA trying to find secret spots to take closer shots at. I think the staff know to watch out for my antics at this point. lol

[@capturingthemachine]

lmao, that's hilarious - so you're the reason they keep adding new fences 😆